Banner Saga

The best part is fighting system, although a little repetitive it can be a challenge. Graphicts is stunning at first, but during the game it turns out it`s rather copypaste and static drawings. Gameplay and game mechanics is bugged and sometimes simply ridiculous - like it`s better to starve most of your men to keep morale high. Or it`s possible to trigger a dialogue with characters previously killed. The story seems catching and interesting, but it has many unfinished and unclear threads. Scripting is very easy to see through - we are given abundance of characters and event and dialogue options, however most of them are totally forgettable and seem to have no meaning. A random event usually has plenty of options - but only one is fine, and after one playthrough we know it all. Most of choices are unimportant - only one really matters, and final is linear with two almost identical endings. As for gameplay - devs claim it is 10hrs+ In reality most of it is average dialogues and watching people walking. Like LOTR, but dull. The game has almost null replayability, because everything is the same and it turns into click-through-fest. Although the basic idea is great the game value is not worth the amount of money, especially with all the backing cash. Devs need to add 2-3 times content and fix all bugs and tweak game mechanics. After this, the game may even reach 4-5 mark, bu now it feels just like a demo.

alright strategy game with a god awful initiative system. Enemy monsters should not get extra turns because i killed his buddy

The game tells a story of varl (giants with horns) and humans as they struggle to survive in a dark time of dredge (stone-like figures) invasion. The player controls a handful of heroes leading a caravan that just tries to make it in the harsh reality of war. During the struggle the player faces myriad of difficult choices. As a caravan leader, you must manage supplies (boy are they scarce!), morale of the entire group, the roster of fighters and how to spend renown points - the only currency in the game. The combat is turn-based with a twist - the turns are always you-enemy-you-enemy and so forth, no matter the numbers. Your heroes have stats - each is equally important and enhances the tactical aspect of the battles. Classes are varied - each has a special unique active ability and one passive ability. The graphics are hand drawn and a pleasure to look at. Animations of the characters are very fluid. The music is definitely one of the highlights of this game - composed by Austin Wintory, it sets a tone for the harrowing experience and fits perfectly to the snowy lands the game takes place in. Furthermore, the game has replay value, as you can make different choices and end up with a significantly different roster and problems along the way. But probably the biggest upside of this game is its atmosphere and how easy it is to immerse yourself in the bleak reality of Banner Saga.

Often in games we end up being guided by the developers morals or the rewards of our actions. Few games present actions and consequences in a manner that is left totally for the player to decide on how they feel. CDProjekt are good at this for example, the developer never judges you for the choices you make - your own morality will gnaw at you or NPCs may love or loathe your actions - but never the game. What stoic has achieved here is much the same. There are many paths through this game... and each one defined by your own morality. While the 'management' side of the game can be seen perhaps as irrelevant to the game - there is a real sense of achievement when you've got to the end and protected a vast number of lives (which the game will love reminding you are slow, causing problems and burn through supplies). On the flip side - you can feel incredibly powered by burning through the game as a military machine and chasing down enemies and focusing only on your goals. The game won't punish / reward you for your moral choices...but in the few times it does....it may not be in the way games traditionally do. The first of 3 chapters...big things are coming.

Battle gameplay - 5/5 Music - 5/5 (never heard better in a game, listen to OST every day at work) Story - 5/5 Conclusion - when I was reading to some game reviews I never knew what exactly they mean when they say 'replay value', but now I do. I finished this game 3 times in past month. Setting is refreshing as it steps away from typical Orc/Elf/Greek mythology. Only down side could be that is it too short. It ends nicely, not with 'cliffhanger', it rounds whole chapter while leaving door opened for sequel. As you can imagine, I really can't wait for the next game. Another down side is that BS Factions is not played by more people, now there are 10-15 at best.